How to Bet on Hockey: NHL Betting Guide and Tips
This NHL betting guide will show you everything you need to know about how to bet on NHL games. We’ll go over all the different types of NHL bets and walk you through the process of signing up with an NHL betting site. Whether you are just starting your hockey betting journey or brushing up on NHL betting rules, we’ve got you covered.
NHL Picks From The Sports Geek
Sharpen your strategy with The Sport Geek’s AI picks for the NHL. Find picks against the spread, moneylines, and over/unders for every game.
NHL Bets Available Online
There are many types of NHL bets available, from simply wagering on which team will win to more complex betting on in-game events. This section covers all the different ways to bet on NHL games.
Moneyline Bets
A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game outright, with betting odds based on each team’s expected chances to win.
Moneyline Example:
Say the Boston Bruins are at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, who they will likely beat. The moneyline odds on this game might show as Philadelphia +180 vs Boston -220. Odds on the favorite with a “-” indicate how much you would need to bet to win $100, in this case $220 to win $100. Underdog odds with a “+” show how much you would win on a $100 bet, in this case $100 to earn a $180 profit if the Flyers win.
Puck Line Bets
A puck line is a 1.5-goal handicap, with the underdog receiving 1.5 goals and the favorite giving up 1.5 goals.
Everygame Sportsbook has a simple interface that works great on mobile devices. It’s a great option for NHL betting on standard odds like puck lines on the go.
Puck Line Example:
Using the same game from the moneyline example, the puck line might show as Philadelphia +1.5 (-145) vs Boston -1.5 (+120). A puck line bet on the Flyers wins if Philadelphia wins outright or loses by one, and a puck line bet on Boston only wins if the Bruins win by two goals or more. The Bruins were a big favorite at -220 on the moneyline but are a small underdog at +120 on the puck line, giving bettors two distinct NHL bets to choose from.
Over/Under (Totals) Bets
A wager on the total is a bet on whether the combined score between the two teams in a game will go over or under a posted total.
Over/Under Example:
In a hypothetical matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, the total could be set at Over 6.5 goals (-110) vs Under 6.5 goals (-110). If the Oilers defeat the Kings 4-2, that adds up to a total of six goals, which would result in the Under 6.5 graded as a winner.
Parlays
A parlay combines multiple bets into one, with the stipulation that every bet added must win for the parlay to be successful. This high-risk, high-reward wager comes with far greater potential payouts than individual bets.
BetUS Sportsbook offers a large selection of parlays, including same-game parlays, which combine multiple outcomes from one game into a parlay.
Parlay Example:
Let’s imagine you want to parlay the Montreal Canadiens (+120), Winnipeg Jets (-180), and the San Jose Sharks vs Anaheim Ducks Over 6 goals (+100) together. This hypothetical parlay would pay out at +584 odds if it won, but if any of the three bets lose, the entire parlay is a loser.
Futures Bets
A future bet is a wager on a future event, such as the winner of the Pacific Division or the Stanley Cup.
BetOnline Sportsbook delivers a large selection of future bets at competitive prices.
Futures Example:
A future bet on a Stanley Cup favorite like the Carolina Hurricanes might show at +650, compared to longer odds of +3,000 on a team less likely to win the championship like the Nashville Predators.
Prop Bets
Proposition bets take place on specific events within a game that are not necessarily tied to the outcome of the game.
SportsBetting.ag has a props builder page that makes it quick and convenient to navigate the various prop bets available on the day’s NHL games.
Prop Example:
There are many different types of props to choose from such as team props (like Dallas to score over or under 3.5 goals), player props (like will Connor McDavid record over or under 1.5 points) and game props (like which team will score first).
Live Betting
Live betting allows NHL fans to bet in real-time, with the odds constantly updating based on what’s happening in the game.
MyBookie is our top-rated sportsbook for live betting on the NHL due to its variety of live lines, reduced vig and easy-to-use interface.
Live Betting Example:
At the beginning of a game between the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, the Avalanche might list as 1.5-goal favorite on the puck line. But in a game where they already lead 3-0 in the second period, a new alternate puck line of Colorado -3.5 could be available.
Correct Score Bets
Correct score bets are a type of prop bet in which you can bet on score-related outcomes.
Correct Score Example:
Different types of correct score bets include betting on the exact score of the game or the correct margin of victory. For instance, you could bet that the New York Rangers will defeat the Washington Capitals by exactly three goals and would win only with that outcome.
Period Bets
Period bets work the same way as moneylines, puck lines and totals, but only for a single period rather than the whole game. First period bets are available before the game, while you can make second and third period bets during intermissions.
Period Bet Example:
Let’s say you bet on the Chicago Blackhawks on the moneyline at +150 in the first period against the Calgary Flames. Your bet would grade as a winner if the Blackhawks are winning at the end of the first period, regardless of how the rest of the game goes.
Grand Salami Bets
A grand salami bet is a prop bet that combines all the day’s action into one event, separated by home teams and road teams.
Bovada Sportsbook excels on this prop, giving bettors the chance to bet the grand salami with a moneyline, puck line, or total.
Grand Salami Example:
Let’s say you bet on the Over 49.5 goals for today’s eight-game card. The home teams outscore the road teams 28–19, keeping the grand salami of games under your 49.5-goal total with 47 goals. A grand salami moneyline bet on the home team would grade as a winner in this scenario.
Expert Tip
Sign up for more than one online sportsbook to take advantage of the various welcome offers. In addition, you’ll have more NHL betting lines across each book to choose from daily. Comparing lines and consistently betting on your sides at the best price helps to save money on losses and make more on wins.
NHL Betting Guide – Live Betting
Hockey is a game of ebbs and flows. The attacking team can become the defending team in a matter of seconds. This back-and-forth nature of the sport makes live betting an absolute thrill.
Consider these tips when adding live betting to your NHL betting card.
Understand the Game Dynamics
The dynamics of an NHL game are consistently changing based on factors like the score and how much time remains. For example, a superior team up one goal in the second period will try to attack on offense to extend its lead. Meanwhile, that same team up four goals in the third period will likely be content to play defensively to secure the win. Understanding how NHL teams play in different situations will help inform your live betting decisions.
Stay Informed (Watch the Games!)
The box store never tells the entire story of how a game unfolded. A 2–0 win could be the result of a dominating defensive effort or a couple of lucky bounces. We recommend watching as many games as you can. By familiarizing yourself with teams and players, you can spot value that bettors who only look at the stat sheet might have missed.
Look for Value Bets
Live betting gives you access to dozens of prop bets with rapidly adjusting odds on every NHL game. With so many options to choose from, there’s no need to place bets that you aren’t getting a good price on. Remember to be selective and to wait for the right price before locking in your wager.
Bet on Momentum Swings
How many times have you seen a team winning by two or three goals go on to lose the game due to the other team making a spirited comeback? Momentum plays a big role in hockey games, and you can take advantage of momentum swings thanks to live betting. Try taking a shot on a trailing team if you see the tides turning in real time.
Use In-Game Stats and Analytics
In-game stats and analytics can be an invaluable tool when live betting on hockey games. Both teams may have 10 shots on goal, but where are those shots coming from? In-game stats like which team is generating more high-quality scoring chances or winning more face-offs can help you look for value beyond what the scoreboard says.
Consider Special Teams Impact
You can study in-depth special teams statistics, including every team’s net power play percentages on the NHL.com stats page. Most of the game might be 5-on-5, but how likely a team is to score on the power play or to successfully defense on the penalty kill is often the key to who wins or loses.
Keep An Eye On Goalie Performance
When an elite goaltender like Connor Hellebuyck is at the top of his game, there isn’t much an opposing team can do to beat the Winnipeg Jets. On the flip side, when a goalie looks shaky early, it may be a bad omen for his team the rest of the way. We recommend trusting your instincts by betting accordingly when you see a good or bad goalie performance in the making.
Don’t Chase Losses
Having fun and winning money while live betting on NHL games requires discipline. Sometimes that involves patiently waiting for good value on a line, and other times it means knowing when to call it quits for the night. Instead of chasing losses and betting while frustrated, take a break until you’re back in the right mindset to continue betting.
Best NHL Betting Site For Beginners
All the sportsbooks mentioned on this page are great for hockey betting. But our top choice for the best NHL betting site for beginners is BetUS. With a great welcome bonus, tons of NHL lines, and free resources like the NHL page of picks, your NHL bets will be in good hands.
Bet Now at Bovada
How To Bet On NHL Games?
When you are ready to place bets on hockey, follow the easy step-by-step guide below to get started.
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Consider our recommendations and your personal preferences to choose an online sportsbook to sign up for.
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When you’ve made your choice, open that page and click or tap on the “Join” button, which is usually located in the top right corner. For example, at BetOnline, you will find a bright green “Join Now” button. Fill out the form with your personal information including your name, email address and date of birth.
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After completing your registration, the page will prompt you to make a deposit, which you can also do from the “Cashier” page. Remember to select or opt in to your welcome bonus before completing your first deposit to ensure that it will be active. Complete the deposit form with your preferred banking method and the amount you want to deposit.
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Once you have finished funding your account, you’ll be ready to place NHL bets. Navigate to the NHL section using your sportsbook’s menu. Using BetOnline as an example, click “Sports” and then “Hockey” to reveal the “NHL Hockey Game” tab.
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Make your selection by clicking or tapping on the side you want to wager on. For example, in the Toronto Maple Leafs (+112) vs Florida Panthers (-126) game, click on the “+112” next to Toronto if you want to bet the Maple Leafs on the moneyline.
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The team or prop you select will appear on your bet slip. Type in the amount you want to risk or win, check it for accuracy, and then click the “Place Your Bet” button. Doing so will lock in the first wager on your NHL betting card.
Responsible Gambling
We encourage all players to gamble responsibly. Remember that online betting is a form of entertainment, not a source of income. Set loss limits and time limits. Budget your bankroll ahead of time to avoid losing more than you can afford to. Keeping these tips in mind will help you have fun and remain a responsible gambler.
If you are over-preoccupied with thoughts about gambling or exceed your budget regularly, you might benefit from some help. Consider the resources below if you recognize the warning signs and symptoms in yourself or a loved one:
- National Council on Problem Gambling: (202) 547-9204 or NCPGambling.org
- AGA Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (as supported by the NBA)
- Gamble Responsibly America App (downloadable)
- Gambler’s Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- Responsible Gambling Council: https://responsiblegambling.org/
Key Takeaways on NHL Betting Rules
This NHL betting guide has covered the process of betting on hockey from start to finish. You are now familiar with each NHL bet type as covered in the Bets Available Online section and have some valuable tips to utilize from NHL Live Betting section. If you still haven’t decided on what online sportsbook to use, we recommend BetUS, our top NHL betting site recommendation for beginners due to its odds variety and free betting resources.
For more tips and guides compiled by our team of NHL experts, check out more NHL pages here at The Sports Geek.
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